Credit: Youtube.com/Atlantic City Weekly
UPDATE: Ex-Sportscaster Bilked Over 100 in Scheme, Cops Say
Famed former Philadelphia sports broadcaster Don Tollefson will be arrested Tuesday morning and brought to Bucks County to face charges he defrauded people in the name of charity.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the arrest will be made Tuesday. Tollefson, 61, of Glenside, will be arraigned at noon and the district attorney will hold a press conference afterward.
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Court records show a warrant against Tollefson, who formerly was a sports reporter on 6ABC and Fox 29, was filed Tuesday morning in district court in Warminster. He will be charged with first degree felony dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity, third degree felony charges of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and first degree misdemeanor violations of the Pennsylvania Charitable Organizations statute.
Tollefson has been involved with local fundraising efforts for years, but questions arose recently after several Philadelphia area residents complained they did not receive agreed upon sports trips and tickets they paid for.
According to the authorities, Tollefson fraudulently solicited money for charities and then “misappropriated” the cash. Some of the charities include the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, the Salvation Army and the Brad Fox Foundation.
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Investigators have discovered more than 100 people were scammed by the former sportscaster, according to a press release. The 61-year-old is alleged to have misappropriated more than $100,000.
Sources confirm that the victims are scattered throughout the Philadelphia region. One source told LevittownNow.com in mid-December that police had spoken to more than 100 people as part of the investigation.
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The investigation was led by the Warminster Police Department, county authorities and the State Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.
Due to the large number of victims involved and the “ongoing nature” of the alleged crimes, authorities ask anyone who thinks they may be a victim to call Warminster Detective John Bonargo at 215-343-0100 or 215-672-1000.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
